Automated analyzer and programmer therefor

ABSTRACT

An apparatus especially suited for use in automated chemical analysis wherein the operations of delivering fluids to sample tubes and of extracting fluids from such tubes are programmed by mechanical-electrical programming means. Such programming means includes a plurality of rotatable elements each equipped with a multiplicity of spring fingers. Each rotatable element corresponds with the treatment means at a sample tube treatment station and each of the multiple fingers is representative of a single sample tube advanced through such treatment stations. The fingers are adapted to sweep over contacts representative of the stopping stations of the sample tubes and when a selected tube reaches its particular treatment station a finger of the rotatable member corresponding with the treatment means at that station makes electrical contact to produce a signal which energizes such treatment means. The apparatus also includes means for shifting the spring fingers between operative and inoperative positions and for synchronizing the operation of the programming means with other components of the analyzer.

United States Patent [72] Inventors Alan R. Jones Miami; Charles W.Chapman, Miami Lakes, both oi Fla. [21] Appl. No. 806,589 [22] FiledMar. 12, 1969 [45] Patented Oct. 26, 1971 [73] Assignee AmericanHospital Supply Corporation Evanston, Ill.

[54] AUTOMATED ANALYZER AND PROGRAMMER THEREFOR 19 Claims, 12 DrawingFigs.

[52] 11.8. CI. 23/259, 23/253 R, 141/130, 200/38 [51] Int. Cl B011 9/06,B011 11/00, G01n 1/10 [50] Field oiSearch 23/259, 253, 230 A; 141/130[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,193,359 7/1965 Baruch eta1 23/259 3,432,271 3/1969 Wasilewski 23/259 X 3,511,613 5/1970 Jones23/259 3,489,521 1/1970 Buckleetal. 3,487,862 l/l970 Soderblom ABSTRACT:An apparatus especially suited for use in automated chemical analysiswherein the operations of delivering fluids to sample tubes and ofextracting fluids from such tubes are programmed bymechanical-electrical programming means. Such programming means includesa plurality of rotatable elements each equipped with a multiplicity ofspring fingers. Each rotatable element corresponds with the treatmentmeans at a sample tube treatment station and each of the multiplefingers is representative of a single sample tube advanced through suchtreatment stations. The fingers are adapted to sweep over contactsrepresentative of the stopping stations of the sample tubes and when aselected tube reaches its particular treatment station a finger of therotatable member corresponding with the treatment means at that stationmakes electrical contact to produce a signal which energizes suchtreatment means. The apparatus also includes means for shifting thespring fingers between operative and inoperative positions and forsynchronizing the operation of the programming means with othercomponents of the analyzer.

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S SE mN O N m0 8 D R A H F u R N A L A CHARLES W. CHAPMAN wwwwwgwmATTYS.

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I TO $QLENO|D //vv/c/ s- ALAN RICHARDSON JONES FIG. 6

CHARLES W. CHAPMAN =4a1l ugwug ATT'YS PATENTEDUU 26 197! 3,615,239

SHEET u UF 4 l N' I'QN'I HRS. ALAN RICHARDSON JONES CHARLES w. CHAPMANATT'YS AUTOMATED ANALYZER AND PlllOGRAMMER THEREFOR OTHER APPLICATIONSReference will be made as the specification proceeds to copendingapplications Ser. No. 688,144, filed Dec. 5, 1967, now US. Pat. No.3,511,613 and Ser. No. 656,218, filed July 26, 1967, and now abandoned.

BACKGROUND While delivery systems for automatic chemical analysisequipment have been known in the past, such systems have been relativelycomplex in structure and operation and, partly by reason of suchcomplexity, have been subject to malfunctioning and, in general, havebeen troublesome and expensive to maintain in operation. it will beappreciated that any such malfunctioning may have serious consequencessince such automatic chemical analysis equipment is intended for use inperforming diagnostic tests on body fluids in clinical laboratones.

Speed in running such diagnostic tests is also of considerableimportance because the treatment given patients may depend on theoutcome of such tests. While there are a number of different diagnostictests that may be run in such equipment, present machines have a majorshortcoming in their ability to perform only a single type of diagnostictest at one time. Because of the time and effort required to set up"such a machine for running any given test, it is common laboratorypractice to delay the running of a test until a substantial number ofsamples requiring the same test are accumulated or, alternatively, toforego use of the automatic equipment in favor of manual testingprocedures where there are only a limited number of samples requiringthe same test procedure. The unfortunate result may be that tests whichare urgently required for early diagnosis and treatment may either bedelayed for efficient use of the automatic analysis equipment or may berun manually without the benefit of the high degree of accuracy andcontrol inherent in the operation of automatic equipment.

SUMMARY The apparatus of the present invention is intended for use inautomatic analysis equipment wherein a substantial number of differentdiagnostic tests may be performed simultaneously. Sample tubescontaining samples of body fluids to be tested are placed in atransporter which may be of the type disclosed in copending applicationSer. No. 688,144, filed Dec. 5, 1967, and such tubes are advancedintermittently or incrementally through a series of treatment stations.For any given diagnostic test there are one or more stopping stations ofthe series where a selected treatment fluid must be delivered to thesample tubes in .which such test is to be performed. Differentdiagnostic tests require the addition or withdrawal of fluid from othersample tubes at other stopping stations. Whenever the series of sampletubes is stopped, a pumping stroke is executed by a pumping arm orcarriage of the apparatus and each tube requiring the addition orextraction of fluid at that moment is automatically subject to suchtreatment.

Although the carriage executes a pumping stroke during the interval whenthe series of samples tubes is stopped, actual pumping action does notoccur unless means for operatively coupling the carriage to the selectedfluid pumps has been activated. In the form of the apparatus disclosed,such coupling means constitutes a plurality of solenoids, one for eachfluid pump. if at the time the carriage executes its pumping" stroke oneor more of the solenoids is energized then. the pumps associated withthose solenoids will deliver (or withdraw) fluid from certain of themomentarily stopped sample tubes. Therefore, where such apparatus isequipped with a multiplicity of pumps, certain pumps being arranged todeliver to withdraw fluids for certain diagnostic tests and other pumpsfor other tests, each specific pump will be operated during cyclicalmovement of the carriage only if the solenoid associated with that pumpis energized so that fluid is introduced or withdrawn from a given tubeof the series at the proper moment. By suitable programming resulting inthe energization of the various solenoids at the proper moments, amultiplicity of different diagnostic tests may be carried outsimultaneously in the series of sample tubes.

The programming means is primarily mechanical in construction and isrelatively simple in structure and operation. Because of its relativesimplicity and mechanical nature, it is found to be highly reliable inoperation, in an area where dependability is essential. Furthermore, itis constructed in modular form, each module being representative of asingle test or operation to be performed by the analyzer. Therefore,where the number of diagnostic tests to be performed by the analyzer isto be increased at some later date after installation of such a unit, itis a relatively simple matter to add a further module for programmingthe analyzer to perform the additional test.

While the programmer may have other uses, it is particularly suitablefor use in conjunction with the delivery and transport systems of anautomatic analyzer. Each module of the programmer includes a disklikerotatable member having a plurality of radially extending springfingers. Such member, as well as the members of adjacent modules, isrotated by a shaft synchronized with the operation of a transport unitwhich advances sample tubes from a loading station to a plurality oftreatment stations. Adjacent to the rotatable member of each module is aplate having a multiplicity of electrical contacts arranged in acircumferential series and adapted to be engaged by the spring fingersof the rotatable member. However, such fingers are normally held out ofcontact with such plate and any selected finger of the series is allowedto make initial contact with the plate only at one point or positionwhere a retractable panel is located. Such panel is retracted when asample tube is introduced at the loading station of the transporter andthe single finger permitted by the retraction of the panel to flex intocontact with the plate thereafter represents the newly introduced sampletube for one complete sweep of the rotatable member. As the releasedfinger travels over the plate in synchronization with the movement ofthe corresponding sample tube it approaches a contact element which isrepresentative of the treatment means at the station where treatment ofthe corresponding sample tube is to be performed. Contact between thespring finger and the contact element causes an electrical signal to betransmitted to such treatment means with the result that fluid isdelivered to the sample tube, or is removed from such tube, or thesample is subjected to some other appropriate treatment at such station.The same plate may be provided with additional contacts to be engaged insuccession by the spring finger to initiate further treatment operationson the same sample when the sample tube arrives at subsequent treatmentstations.

If a number of samples requiring the same treatment for the samediagnostic test are present in the transporter at the same time, then acorresponding number of spring fingers of a single rotatable member willbe advanced over the contact plate, each finger being representative ofone of the samples and serving to actuate the treatment means at theappropriate treatment stations when the corresponding tube reaches suchstations. However, as already mentioned, the programmer includes aplurality of modules, each being representative of the treatmentrequired for a different diagnostic test. Thus, successive tubesadvanced by the transporter may require different treatment and, in suchcases, the treatment for the respective tubes is controlled by differentmodules of the programming means.

The means for delivering or withdrawing fluid from the sample tubescomprises a plurality of extensible delivery tubes, each delivery tubeconsisting of a pair of telescoping tubes formed of flexible plastic orother flexible material. The inner tube of each concentric tube assemblyextends from a fluid pump to a treatment station of the transporterassembly, the

end of the inner tube at the treatment station normally being maintainedin position above the sample-carrying tubes advancing intermittentlytherebeneath. When fluid is to be added or withdrawn from any givensample tube, the innermost plastic tube of a concentric pair isprojected downwardly into the sample tube prior to commencement of thepumping stroke. It has been found that the inner tube may be extendedmost effectively by shifting the outer tube to remove slack only fromthe outer tube. As a result, the free end of the inner plastic tube isextended without buckling of either tube and dips into the preselectedsample tube to deliver or withdraw fluid therefrom. Since fluidextracted from the sample tube is withdrawn from adjacent the bottomthereof an ample supply of fluid is assured; conversely, since fluiddelivered to the sample tube is discharged adjacent the lower endthereof a thorough mixing of sample and treatment fluid is achieved.

DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a fragmentary and partly schematic perspective viewof certain major components of an automatic analyzer, including theprogramming means therefor;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing certain components of thetransporter, programmer, and drive means extracted from the view of FIG.1 for clarity of illustration;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view, shown partiallydiagrammatically, and taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged side elevational view of a single module of theprogrammer;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a portion of a module andillustrating the means for transferring or diverting spring fingers intocontact with the contact plate;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 7 but illustrating thetransfer means in its normal extended position;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 99 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along line 1010 of FIG.

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line llIl ofFIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view along line 1212 of FIG. 10.

DESCRIPTION Referring to FIG. 1, three basic components of an automaticanalyzer are illustrated: transporter unit A, delivery unit or system B,and programming means C.

The transporter A is similar in construction and operation to the unitdisclosed in copending application Ser. No. 688,144, filed Dec. 5, I967.In brief, the transporter consists essentially of a casing 11 having atop plate 12 defining an endless channel 13 along which a multiplicityof sample tubes or containers I4 are advanced in single file. Each tubeis slidably carried in a sleeve 15 and the sleeves are driven along thechannel by a sprocket 16 carried by a shaft 17 (FIG. 2). The shaft isoperatively connected by gears 18 to a drive shaft 19 which is rotatedand stopped intermittently and at regular intervals by motor 20 andGeneva transmission 21. Thus, the sample tubes 14 are advancedperiodically in the direction of arrow 22 from a starting point orloading position indicated generally at 23 (FIG. I). As the motor 20operates, each tube is advanced into the position occupied by thepreceding tube and is then stopped for a predetermined interval duringwhich the operations of the delivery system B may be performed.

It will be observed that plate 12 is disposed upon a platform or tablesurface 24 and that the upstanding sample tubes I4 normally project aslight distance above the top surface of the plate. Each tube of theseries travels no more than one complete trip or revolution alongchannel 13. Tubes containing fresh samples are inserted into the channelby an operator, or by some suitable mechanical means, at the loadingstation 23 and are thereafter intermittently advanced through one ormore treatment stations until they have made the full circuit, rideupwardly upon ramp 25, and are finally discharged into a wastereceptacle (not shown) beneath surface 24.

Each sample tube placed into the transporter may contain a serum sampleor a sample of some other body fluid to be subjected to automaticanalytical testing. While a wide variety of tests may be performed, ingeneral such tests require the addition of one or more reagents to thesample, a mixing of the reagents and the sample fluid, a period ofincubation during which the test reaction may occur, and a finalphotometric analysis of the reaction mixture. In the apparatusdisclosed, five treatment stations 26-30 are indicated although agreater or smaller number may be provided depending on the number andtype of different diagnostic tests to be performed. At each of thesestations 26-30 a predetermined quantity of a test reagent may beintroduced into selected sample tubes from a suitable source of supply,one such source for station 26 being indicated schematically at 31.Alternatively, the treatment occurring at one or more of such treatmentstations may involve an operation other than the addition of a reagent;for example, in one of such stations, such as station 30, a portion ofthe fluid contained in each sample tube may be withdrawn and deliveredto a photometer or other testing device for analysis.

The delivery system B is most clearly illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3 andcomprises a frame 32 having upstanding side, front, and backwalls 33,34, and 35, respectively. The upper portion 340 of wall 34 has a seriesof openings 36 through which flexible tubular conduits 37 extend.Similarly, rear wall 35 is provided with openings 38 which are alignedwith openings 36 so that conduits or tubes passing through such alignedopenings are disposed in parallel relation with each other.

Each conduit 37 consists of an inner tube 39 and an outer tube or sheath40. The inner tube 39 is in direct communication with a source of fluidsupply 31 with a pump 4] interposed along the line for directing theflow of fluid therethrough. Tube 39 extends through the aligned openings36 and 38 and then curves downwardly towards treatment station 26 andfitting 42. The fitting is in the form of a C clamp and is held by screw43 in any desired position along plate member 43 which is in turnsupported by posts 44 above the top plate 12 of the transporter. Theparts are constructed and arranged so that in the normal position oftube 39 its free end 45 will be disposed directly above a sample tube 14when such tube is stopped at delivery station 26.

Opening 38 in rear wall 35 may be threaded to receive a fitting or plug46 for anchoring tube 39 against sliding movement with respect to therear wall. It will be observed that the stretch of tubing between therear and front walls is substantially straight and extends horizontally,whereas the section of tubing 37 in front of wall 34 is arcuate orcurved and, in general, has a substantial amount of slack. As willbecome apparent hereinafter, the amount of slack depends on theproximity of the delivery unit B and transporter A; the greater distancebetween such units, the less slack is necessary.

Sheath 40 has one end secured within opening 47 of fitting 42. Thesheath curves upwardly and rearwardly, passing through opening 36 infront panel 340 (in which it is slidable), and has its rear end 48terminating at a point between the front and rear walls of the frame.

Directly beneath the parallel stretches of tubes extending between thefront and backwalls is a laterally extending carriage 49 which consistsin part of a horizontal bar 50 having rollers 51 at its ends which arereceived in horizontal slots 52 in side walls 33. The carriage istherefore mounted for movement between the forward position illustratedin FIGS. 1 and 3 and the rearward position indicated in broken lines inFIG. 3. Reciprocatory forward and rearward motion of theconduitextending carriage is achieved by motor 53, crank 54, and link55, the latter being operatively connected to the carriage by pin 56projecting from one end of the carriage through slot 52 (FIG. 1).

As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of tube gripping members 57 projectupwardly through openings in top plate 58 of the carriage. Eachcylindrical upstanding gripping member has a transverse opening 59therethrough, such opening being in alignment with a pair ofcorresponding openings 36 and 38 in the front and rear walls of theframe. Each sheath 40 has its rear portion 48 extending through one ofsuch openings 59. Each opening flares outwardly at opposite ends andeven at its smallest inner diameter is substantially larger than theoutside diameter of the sheath. Consequently, when the gripping memberis in the position shown in solid lines in FIG. 2, forward and rearwardmovement of the carriage will have no effect on the position of conduit37.

Each gripping member 57 is connected to a plunger 60 of an encasedsolenoid 61 and, when such solenoid is energized, the gripping member ispulled downwardly to grip the sheath 40 between the upper arc ofaperture 59 and the top surface of carriage plate 58. When the rearportion of the sheath is so gripped and the reciprocable carriage isthen shifted rearwardly into the broken line position illustrated inFIG. 3, the sheath is pulled rearwardly through the front plate opening36 to reduce the slack in the arcuate front section of conduit 37 to theextent pennitted by the rearward travel of the carriage. Since thegripping member grips only the sheath 40 and not the inner tube 39, thelength of the inner tube in front of wall 34 remains the same. However,with the slack largely removed from the arcuate section 37, the free end45 of the inner tube 39 is extended or projected downwardly a distanceequal to the extent of rearward travel of the carriage. As a result, thefree end 45 of the inner tube dips downwardly into a sample tube 14 asindicated in broken lines in FIG. 3.

It has been found that the above action occurs smoothly and withoutbuckling of the concentric tubes. For reasons which may not be fullyunderstood at the present time, extension of the inner tube is readilyaccomplished without buckling when the sheath is retracted in the mannerdescribed, whereas a definite tendency towards buckling would occurshould the sheath be held stationary and the clamping and extendingforces be applied directly to the inner tube to thrust that tube throughthe sheath into an extended position.

Tube 39 and sheath 40 are both formed from flexible material, preferablya plastic material such as polyvinyl chloride. It is to be understoodthat any of a wide variety of materials having the desired properties offlexibility, durability, and resistance to chemical activity may beused.

Beneath carriage 49 is a second carriage 62 having sidewalls 63, frontwall 64, and rear wall 65 (FIG. 3). Rollers 66 mounted upon thesidewalls 63 are received in horizontal channels or recesses 67 in thesidewalls of the frame and guide the lower carriage for horizontalreciprocatory movement.

The carriage is shifted forwardly and rearwardly by a motor 68 mountedonfront wall 34 (FIG. 1) and operatively connected by shaft 69,desmodromic earns 70, riders 71, and connecting rods 72 to the frontwall 64 of the carriage.

Carriage 62 supports a plurality of electromagnet assemblies 73, eachsuch assembly comprising a solenoid element 74 and a core element orplunger 75. The electromagnet assemblies are arranged in parallelside-by-side relation with the solenoid casing of each assembly beingsecured to rear wall 65 of the carriage by nut 76. Since the assembliesare disposed in side-by-side relation, only one such assembly is visiblein the sectional view of FIG. 3; however, it is to be understood that aplurality of identical assemblies are concealed from view by the oneillustrated. Since the structure and operation of the multipleassemblies are the same, only one such assembly will be describedherein.

The plunger 75 of each solenoid assembly is connected by a pin 77 to thepiston shaft 78 of pump assembly 41. While any suitable pump may beused, a pump of the type disclosed in copending application Ser. No.656,218, filed July 26, 1967, and now abandoned, is particularlyeffective and is shown in simplified form in FIG. 3. As there shown, thepump assembly 41 comprises a housing 79 containing a pair ofunidirectional valves 80 and 81. Each of the valves consists of a sleeveof resilient stretchable material such s rubber, the respective sleevesand 81 covering valve ports 82 and 83. When piston 78 executes itsintake stroke, sleeve 81 flexes or stretches to permit the flow of fluidfrom the supply source 31 into piston chamber 84, and when the pistonexecutes its discharge stroke valve sleeve 80 similarly expands topermit the flow of fluid from the piston chamber towards the sample tubel4 through flexible plastic tube 39. Reverse flow through each of theunidirectional valves is prevented because the valve sleeves fit snuglyagainst the ports and an increase of fluid pressure in a reversedirection only causes such sleeves to seal more tightly.

While motor 68 reciprocates pump carriage 62 at regularly timedintervals corresponding with the intermittent operation of thetransport, such movement of the carriage does not necessarily result inoperation of pump assemblies 41. The solenoid plunger 75 of eachelectromagnet assembly is freely slidable in solenoid casing 74 andunless the solenoid is energized movement of the carriage and thesolenoid casing mounted thereon is unaccompanied by movement of theplunger. However, when the solenoid is energized, then the solenoid andits plunger are locked against independent relative movement andreciprocation of the carriage will result in corresponding reciprocationof the plunger and the pump piston connected thereto. Hence, each of theplural pump assemblies 41 is operated only when the pump carriagereciprocates and when the particular solenoid associated with that pumpis energized.

Control over the amount of fluid delivered or withdrawn through theoperation of each pump assembly 41 is achieved by microswitches 85mounted upon carriage wall 65 adjacent each electromagnet assembly 73.The contact arm 86 of each microswitch is positioned to engage anadjustable contact member or block 87 disposed directly above eachelectromagnet assembly and in the path of movement of the microswitcharm. The contact member is slidably carried upon a horizontal rod 88 andan upstanding portion 89 of he member threadedly receives a parallelthreaded adjustment rod 90. The adjustment rod is equipped with knob 91so that upon rotation of the knob the member 87 may be shifted betweenthe solid and broken line positions illustrated in FIG. 3. Engagementbetween the arm 86 of the microswitch and the adjustable member 87closes the contacts of the switch; when the arm is in the raisedposition illustrated in FIG. 3 the flow of current to the solenoid isinterrupted. It is believed apparent that if ad justment member 87 isshifted into the broken-line position so that solenoid 74 will beenergized at the commencement of a cycle of operation of the pumpcarriage 62, then piston 78 will be shifted to the left to execute itsfull intake and discharge strokes. However, if the contact member 87 isshifted to the left, then the carriage 62 will move forwardly a selecteddistance before the microswitch is closed and, consequently, before thesolenoid is energized and the intake stroke is commenced. Thereafter,when the carriage executes its return stroke to pump fluid from pump 41into tube 39, the solenoid will be deenergized as soon as the am of themicroswitch clears contact element 87. Therefore, by adjusting theposition of contact member 87 the amount of fluid delivered by each pump41 and conduit 37 to a sample tube 14 may be easily and accuratelycontrolled.

Primary control over energization of each solenoid 74 of a pump assemblyand each solenoid 61 of a tube extensionretraction assembly is achievedby programming means C. Such programming means is diagrammaticallyillustrated in FIG. 3 and is shown to be connected by leads or signallines 92 and 93 to solenoids 74 and 61. It is to be understood that theprogram or control means is similarly electrically connected to therespective solenoids of the delivery system B for each of the treatmentstations 26-30 and that the apparatus of the delivery unit B responsiblefor delivering (or extracting) fluid at each of such stationsconstitutes treatment means for the samples carried by the transporter.

The programmer C comprises a casing 94 having a top panel 95 and endpanels 96 connected by bolts 97. Between the end panels 96 are aplurality of programming modules or devices 98-102, each of said modulesbeing substantially identical and, as shown in FIG. 1, being arranged inspaced parallel relation. Any number of such modules may be provideddepending on the size of the analyzer and, in particular, upon thenumber of different treatment procedures to be performed thereby.

A shaft 103 extends through all of the modules and is journaled in endplates 96. As shown most clearly in FIG. 2, shaft 103 is operativelyconnected by gears 104 to drive shaft 19; therefore, rotation of theshaft 103 is synchronized with the operation of the transporter as wellas with the operation of delivery system B. Mounted on shaft 103 are aplurality of disks or rotatable members 105, one such member beingprovided for each module 98-102. Referring to FIG. 4, it will be seenthat each member 105 has a hub portion 105a and a multiplicity ofradially extending spring fingers lb. The number of spring fingerscorresponds directly with the number of sample tubes capable of beingcarried by the transporter; therefore, while a total of 66 springfingers are illustrated in FIG. 4, it will be understood that a greateror smaller number may be provided depending upon the capacity of thetransporter and the size of the analyzer as a whole. 7 It will beobserved that the spring fingers are equally spaced and are of equallength. As viewed in side elevation, each of the fingers slopes awayfrom the plane of the hub with which is it integrally formed. Thetension of the flexible fingers tends to urge them into engagement witha contact plate or member 106 which extends normal to the axis of shaft103. However, such fingers are normally held away from contact withplate 106 by a second plate 107 which is parallel with the first plateand spaced therefrom by an insulating spacer 108. It will be observedthat plate 107 has an opening 109 concentric with rotatable member 105but slightly smaller than the diameter of spring fingers l05b.Consequently, in their normal condition, such fingers ride upon plate107 about the edge of opening 109 and are prevented from engagingcontact plate 106.

The ends of the spring fingers 105b may be bent as shown most clearly inFIGS. 5 and 6 so that slightly rounded or curved surface portions of thefingers engage the plates to reduce wear of the fingers, to insure asmooth operation, and to achieve proper electrical contact as will bedescribed hereinafter.

Like spacer 108, contact plate I06 is formed of plastic or othersuitable electrical insulating material. However, applied to the surfaceof plate 106 which faces the spring fingers is a circumferential seriesof metallic contacts 110. In the illustration given, a total of 60 suchcontacts are provided, each contact representing or corresponding with apossible location of a treatment station along transporter A. Conductivelines or stripes of metal lead from each of the contacts 110 to a seriesof plug-in connectors I12 disposed along one edge of the plate or card106. Thus, if module 98 shown in FIG. 4 were to control treatmentoccurring at station 26 in FIGS. 1 and 3, then a suitable matingconnector 113 would be plugged into the second pair of contacts(counting from the bottom of the plate because of clockwise rotation ofthe rotatable member 105) and the signal lines 92 and 93 would lead fromconnector 113 to solenoids 74 and 93 as indicated in FIG. 3.

Opening 109 in second plate 107 is generally circular in configurationexcept for a recess 114 along an edge portion of the opening. When thespring fingers 1051) of the rotatable member reach recess 114 they areno longer supported by the second plate 107 and, because of theirtension, such fingers spring in a direction towards plate 106 as soon asthey reach the recess. Direct contact between the fingers and plate 106at that point is prevented, however, by a ramp 115 which is secured tocontact plate 106 and which slopes away from that plate to a point abovethe level of second plate 107 (FIGS. 7-10). As a result, spring fingers105 which have advanced to the point where they are no longer supportedby plate 108 and therefore drop into recess 114 engage ramp I15 and rideupwardly along the ramp to a point above the level of plate 107.

Between the upper end 115a of the ramp and the adjacent edge 114a ofplate 107 is a transfer opening of greater width than each of the springfingers b. Such opening is normally closed by a retractable panel 116which serves as a slidable trap door between the two levels defined bythe surfaces of plates 106 and 107. When the panel is extended, asillustrated in FIGS. 8, 10 and 12, spring fingers riding upwardly uponramp I15 engage the panel and then pass on to the surface of secondplate 107. However, when the panel 116 is retracted, as illustrated inFIGS. 7, 9 and 11, a finger clearing the upper end of the ramp is freeto drop downwardly (by reason of the tension in the spring finger) intoengagement with the surface of contact plate 106. A finger which hasdropped through the opening remains in contact with plate 106, andsuccessively engages electrical contacts 110, until it has traveledsubstantially an entire revolution, at which time it again engages rampand rides upwardly along that ramp to the opening normally closed by theretractable panel 116. The positions of such fingers upon the surface ofplate 106 as they approach the ramp are indicated by broken lines inFIGS. 9 and I0.

In the illustration given, the means for retracting panel 116 comprisesa crank or lever 117 which is pivotally connected to plates 106-108 bypin 118 and which has one end connected to the retractable panel at 119and its opposite end connected to the plunger of a solenoid unit 120.Any suitable means may be provided for biasing the panel into a normallyclosed or extended position; in the embodiment illustrated, acompression spring 121 urges the plunger of the solenoid in thedirection indicated by arrow 122 (FIG. 8) to maintain the panel in itsextended position unless the solenoid is energized. As shown, thesolenoid unit is secured to plates 106-108 by a bracket 123.

Any of a variety of means may be utilized for selectively energizing thesolenoids of the respective programming modules. FIG. 1 schematicallyillustrates a card reader 124 which may be connected by a bundle ofsignal lines 125 to each of the several solenoids and which willenergize one of such solenoids when a card 125 is inserted into thereader. A]- ternatively, the means for energizing the respectivesolenoids might comprise a control panel having a series of controlbuttons, one for energizing each respective solenoid. Whatever the case,suitable means are provided for energizing the solenoid of a programmodule corresponding with a treatment procedure to be applied to asample introduced into loading station 23 of the transporter. Suchenergizing of the solenoid will cause a spring finger to drop intoengagement with the contact plate of the selected program module andsuch spring finger will thereafter advance from contact to contact intimed relation with the movement of the corresponding sample tube fromstopping station to stopping station. When the spring finger engages acontact 110 which is electrically connected to the pumping andtube-extending solenoids for a given treatment station, such solenoidswill be energized and the sample at that station will be so treated.

To illustrate the operation more specifically, it will be observed inFIG. 1 that treatment station 26 is two stopping positions beyondloading station 23. If a sample inserted into the transport at theloading station is deemed to require the treatment available at station26, then at the time the sample is loaded the solenoid 120 forprogramming module 98 is energized and a spring finger drops into afirst position in engagement with contact plate 106. The sample tube andthe corresponding spring finger then advance incrementally and in timedrelation. When the finger has reached a second position in engagementwith the contact element 110 in circuit (by means of leads 92 and 93)with the solenoids 61 and 74 of treatment station 26, the sample will beat that station ready to receive the selected treatment. Energization ofsolenoid 61 coupled with reciprocation of carriage 49 causes tube 39 toproject downwardly into the sample tube, and energization of solenoid 74results in a pumping action which supplies fluid to the sample tube orextracts fluid therefrom. Thereafter, the conduit is withdrawn from thesample tube and the tube along the circuit of the transport forsubsequent treatment only at those stations programmed at the time thetube was inserted into the transporter at the loading station.

it is believed apparent from the foregoing that the programmer may haveutility in programming operations which differ considerably from thetreatment operations disclosed herein. While an embodiment of theinvention has been disclosed in considerable detail for purposes ofillustration, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatmany of such details may be varied considerably without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the invention.

We claim:

1. In combination, transport means for conveying a sample from a loadingstation to a treatment station, treatment means for treating a sample atsaid treatment station upon receiving an electrical signal, and aprogrammer comprising a member mounted on a rotatable shaft and providedwith at least one radially extending finger, a contact member having asurface normal to said shaft and adapted to be engaged by said finger,said finger being movable along said surface upon rotation of said shaftfrom a first position corresponding with the introduction of a sample atsaid loading station to a second position corresponding with the arrivalof said sample at said treatment station, electrical contact means onsaid surface engageable by said finger at said second position forproducing an electrical signal upon contact by said finger, means fortransmitting said signal to said treatment means, and driving means fordriving said transport means and said shaft in timed relation so thatthe interval for conveying said sample from said loading station to saidtreatment station is the same as for moving said finger from said firstposition to said second position.

2. The structure of claim 1 in which said rotatable member is providedwith a plurality of said radially extending fingers, means for normallymaintaining said fingers spaced from the surface of said contact memberand out of engagement with said contact means, and means for selectivelydirecting any one of said fingers at said first position into engagementwith said surface when a sample is introduced into said loading station.

3. The structure of claim 2 in which said fingers are flexible and areformed of electrically conductive material, said fingers when in contactwith said surface being flexed and engaging said surface under tensioncreated by such flexure.

4. The structure of claim 2 in which said driving means operatesintermittently to drive and stop said transport means and said shaft atregularly timed intervals, said treatment station comprising a stoppingstation at which said treatment means is located.

5. The structure of claim 2 in which there are a plurality of additionaltreatment stations in spaced series with respect to said first-mentionedtreatment station, additional treatment means at said additionalstations substantially identical with said first-mentioned treatmentmeans but adapted to perform individually distinctive treatment to asample, said transport means being adapted to convey a series of samplesin succession through said plurality of treatment stations, and acontrol unit comprising said programmer and a plurality of additionaland substantially identical programmers each corresponding with one ofsaid treatment means and each having electrical contact means engageableby a spring finger in said second position wherein the interval formoving said finger of each programmer from said first position to saidsecond position is the same as the interval for conveying a sample fromsaid loading station to the treatment station of the treatment meanscorresponding with each said programmer.

6. The structure of claim 5 in which said samples are fluid and arecontained in open-topped sample tubes, said treatment means including aplurality of pumps and conduits for delivering fluid to or extractingfluid from selected sample tubes, saiddriving means operatingintermittently to drive and stop said transport means and said tubes atregularly timed intervals, said treatment stations comprising stoppingstations for said tubes where fluid is delivered to or extractedtherefrom.

7. The structure of claim 6 in which said conduits'are partiallysupported by a reciprocable carriage equipped with a plurality ofsolenoid-actuated conduit gripping devices, each of said conduits beingextensible and retractable and being adapted to be extended into andretracted from a sample tube at a treatment station when thesolenoid-actuated gripping device associated therewith is energizedduring reciprocation of said carriage, and power means for reciprocatingsaid carriage in timed relation with the intermittent drive of saidtransport means, whereby, a conduit is extended into a sample tube at atreatment station only if the solenoid gripping device therefor isenergized by a signal produced by engagement between a finger and theelectrical contact means of the programmer corresponding with suchtreatment station.

8. The structure of claim 6 in which said treatment means includes areciprocable pump carriage supporting a plurality of electromagnets eachconnected to a one of said pumps, each of said pumps being operated byreciprocation of said pump carriage only if the particular electromagnetassociated therewith is energized, and power means for reciprocatingsaid pump carriage in timed relation with the intermittent drive of saidtransport means, whereby, a pump is actuated to deliver fluid to orextract fluid from a sample tube at a treatment station only if theelectromagnet therefor is energized by a signal produced by engagementbetween a finger and the electrical contact means of the programmercorresponding with such treatment station.

9. in combination, a transporter for conveying sample tubes insuccession from a loading station through a series of treatmentstations, electrically actuated treatment units for selec tivelytreating samples in said tubes at said treatment stations, the sampletreatment at each of said stations being different than at the other ofsuch stations, and programming means for automatically actuating certainof the treatment units when a tube reaches the appropriate treatmentstation in accordance with a selection made upon introducing such tubeat said load ing station, said programming means consisting of aplurality of programming devices each corresponding with and energizingcertain of said treatment units, each programming device comprising:

a. a rotatable member having a plurality of radially extending fingers,

b. a plate having a surface parallel with said rotatable member andadapted to be engaged by said fingers,

0. each of said fingers being movable upon rotation of said memberbetween a first position upon said plate corresponding with theintroduction of a sample tube at said loading station and a plurality ofadditional circumferentially spaced positions corresponding with thearrival of the same sample tube at subsequent treatment stations,

d. electrical contacts at each of said additional positions engageableby said fingers for producing electrical signals for activating thetreatment means associated with said programming device,

e. means for normally maintaining said fingers spaced from said plateand from the electrical contacts provided thereon,

f. transfer means for selectively shifting any one of said fingers intocontact with said plate at said first position when a sample requiringthe treatment associated with said program device is introduced intosaid loading station,

g. means for withdrawing a finger from contact with said plate aftersaid finger has traveled substantially a full revolution from said firstposition,

and driving means for driving said transporter and for simultaneouslyrotating all of said rotatable members of said programming devices intimed relation with said transporter so that the intervals for conveyingany given sample tube from said loading station to the requiredtreatment stations are the same as for advancing a finger of thecorresponding programming device from said first position to therespective additional contact positions.

10. The structure of claim 9 in which said rotatable member comprises ahub portion mounted on a shaft provided by said driving means, saidfingers being formed of flexible material and being flexed and tensionedwhen in contact with said surface.

11. The structure of claim 10 in which said means for normallymaintaining said fingers spaced from said plate comprises a second plateupon which the ends of said fingers normally ride, said second platebeing insulated from said first plate and having an opening thereinsmaller in diameter than the diameter of the fingers of said member.

12. The structure of claim 11 in which said second plate has a recesscommunicating with said opening and extending radially outwardlytherefrom at a point overlying said first position of saidfirst-mentioned plate, whereby, a spring finger entering said recesswill be released from contact with said second plate and will flex intocontact with said first plate at said first position.

13. The structure of claim 12 in which said transfer means comprises aretractable panel normally extending over said recess and preventingspring fingers riding upon said second plate from flexing into contactwith said first plate.

14. The structure of claim 13 in which a solenoid-operated lever isconnected to said panel for selectively retracting the same to permit aspring finger engaging said panel to flex through said recess intoengagement with said first plate at said first position.

15. The structure of claim 13 in which said first panel is provided witha ramp adjacent said first position for returning spring fingers whichhave executed substantially a full revolution in contact with said firstplate back into riding surface engagement upon said second plate.

16. The structure of claim 9 in which said driving means operatesintermittently to drive and stop said transport means and said rotatablemembers at regularly timed intervals.

17. The structure of claim 9 in which said treatment means includes aplurality of pumps and conduits for delivering fluid to or extractingfluid from selected sample tubes, said driving means operatingintermittently to drive and stop said transport means and said tubes atregularly timed intervals, said treatment stations comprising stoppingstations for said tubes where fluid is delivered to or extractedtherefrom.

18. The structure of claim 17 in which said conduits are partiallysupported by a reciprocable carriage equipped with a plurality ofsolenoid-actuated conduit gripping members, each of said conduits beingextensible and retractable and being adapted to be extended into andretracted from sample tubes at a treatment station when thesolenoid-actuated gripping member associated therewith is energizedduring a reciprocatory stroke of said carriage, and power means forreciprocat ing said carriage in timed relation with the intermittentdrive of said transporter, whereby, a conduit is extended into a sampletube at a treatment station only if the solenoid gripping membertherefor is energized by a signal produced by engagement between afinger and the electrical contact of the programming devicecorresponding with such treatment station.

19. The structure of claim 17 in which said treatment units comprise areciprocable pump carriage supporting a plurality of electromagnets eachconnected to one of said pumps, each of said pumps being operated byreciprocation of said pump carriage only if the particular electromagnetassociated therewith is energized, and power means for reciprocatingsaid pump carriage in timed relation with the intermittent drive of saidtransporter, whereby, a pump is actuated to deliver fluid to or extractfluid from a sample tube at a treatment station only if theelectromagnet therefor is energized by a signal produced by engagementbetween a finger and an electrical contact of the programming devicecorresponding with such treatment station.

2. The structure of claim 1 in which said rotatable member is providedwith a plurality of said radially extending fingers, means for normallymaintaining said fingers spaced from the surface of said contact memberand out of engagement with said contact means, and means for selectivelydirecting any one of said fingers at said first position into engagementwith said surface when a sample is introduced into said loading station.3. The structure of claim 2 in which said fingers are flexible and areformed of electrically conductive material, said fingers when in contactwith said surface being flexed and engaging said surface under tensioncreated by such flexure.
 4. The structure of claim 2 in which saiddriving means operates intermittently to drive and stop said transportmeans and said shaft at regularly timed intervals, said treatmentstation comprising a stopping station at which said treatment means islocated.
 5. The structure of claim 2 in which there are a plurality ofadditional treatment stations in spaced series with respect to saidfirst-mentioned treatment station, additional treatment means at saidadditional stations substantially identical with said first-mentionedtreatment means but adapted to perform individually distinctivetreatment to a sample, said transport means being adapted to convey aseries of samples in succession through said plurality of treatmentstations, and a control unit comprising said programmer and a pluralityof additional and substantially identical programmers each correspondingwith one of said treatment means and each having electrical contactmeans engageable by a spring finger in said second position wherein theinterval for moving said finger of each programmer from said firstposition to said second position is the same as the interval forconveying a sample from said loading station to the treatment station ofthe treatment means corresponding with each said programmer.
 6. Thestructure of claim 5 in which said samples are fluid and are containedin open-topped sample tubes, said treatment means including a pluralityof pumps and conduits for delivering fluid to or extracting fluid fromselected sample tubes, said driving means operating intermittently todrive and stop said transport means and said tubes at regularly timedintervals, said treatment stations comprising stopping stations for saidtubes where fluid is delivered to or extracted therefrom.
 7. Thestructure of claim 6 in which said conduits are partially supported by areciprocable carriage equipped with a plurality of solenoid-actuatedconduit gripping devices, each of said conduits being extensible andretractable and being adapted to be extended into and retracted from asample tube at a treatment station when the solenoid-actuated grippingdevice associated therewith is energized during reciprocation of saidcarriage, and power means for reciprocating said carriage in timedrelation with the intermittent drive of said transport means, whereby, aconduit is extended into a sample tube at a treatment station only ifthe solenoid gripping device therefor is energized by a signal producedby engagement between a finger and the electrical contact means of theprogrammer corresponding with such treatment station.
 8. The structureof claim 6 in which said treatment means includes a reciprocable pumpcarriage supporting a plurality of electromagnets each connected to aone of said pumps, each of said pumps being operated by reciprocation ofsaid pump carriage only if the particular electromagnet associatedtherewith is energized, and power means for reciprocating said pumpcarriage in timed relation with the intermittent drive of said transportmeans, whereby, a pump is actuated to deliver fluid to or extract fluidfrom a sample tube at a treatment station only if the electromagnettherefor is energized by a signal produced by engagement between afinger and the electrical contact means of the programmer correspondingwith such treatment station.
 9. In combination, a transporter forconveying sample tubes in succession from a loading station through aseries of treatment stations, electrically actuated treatment units forselectively treating samples in said tubes at said treatment stations,the sample treatment at each of said stations being different than atthe other of such stations, and programming means for automaticallyactuating certain of the treatment units when a tube reaches theappropriate treatment station in accordance with a selection made uponintroducing such tube at said loading station, said programming meansconsisting of a plurality of programming devices each corresponding withand energizing certain of said treatment units, each programming devicecomprising: a. a rotatable member having a plurality of radiallyextending fingers, b. a plate having a surface parallel with saidrotatable member and adapted to be engaged by said fingers, c. each ofsaid fingers being movable upon rotation of said member between a firstposition upon said plate corresponding with the introduction of a sampletube at said loading station and a plurality of additionalcircumferentially spaced positions corresponding with the arrival of thesame sample tube at subsequent treatment stations, d. electricalcontacts at each of said additional positions engageable by said fingersfor producing electrical signals for activating the treatment meansassociated with said programming device, e. means for normallymaintaining said fingers spaced from said plate and from the electricalcontacts provided thereon, f. transfer means for selectively shiftingany one of said fingers into contact with said plate at said firstposition when a sample requiring the treatment associated with saidprogram device is introduced into said loading station, g. means forwithdrawing a finger from contact with said plate after said finger hastraveled substantially a full revolution from said first position, anddriving means for driving said transporter and for simultaneouslyrotating all of said rotatable members of said programming devices intimed relation with said transporter so that the intervals for conveyingany given sample tube from said loading station to the requiredtreatment stations are the same as for advancing a finger of thecorresponding programming device from said first position to therespective additional contAct positions.
 10. The structure of claim 9 inwhich said rotatable member comprises a hub portion mounted on a shaftprovided by said driving means, said fingers being formed of flexiblematerial and being flexed and tensioned when in contact with saidsurface.
 11. The structure of claim 10 in which said means for normallymaintaining said fingers spaced from said plate comprises a second plateupon which the ends of said fingers normally ride, said second platebeing insulated from said first plate and having an opening thereinsmaller in diameter than the diameter of the fingers of said member. 12.The structure of claim 11 in which said second plate has a recesscommunicating with said opening and extending radially outwardlytherefrom at a point overlying said first position of saidfirst-mentioned plate, whereby, a spring finger entering said recesswill be released from contact with said second plate and will flex intocontact with said first plate at said first position.
 13. The structureof claim 12 in which said transfer means comprises a retractable panelnormally extending over said recess and preventing spring fingers ridingupon said second plate from flexing into contact with said first plate.14. The structure of claim 13 in which a solenoid-operated lever isconnected to said panel for selectively retracting the same to permit aspring finger engaging said panel to flex through said recess intoengagement with said first plate at said first position.
 15. Thestructure of claim 13 in which said first panel is provided with a rampadjacent said first position for returning spring fingers which haveexecuted substantially a full revolution in contact with said firstplate back into riding surface engagement upon said second plate. 16.The structure of claim 9 in which said driving means operatesintermittently to drive and stop said transport means and said rotatablemembers at regularly timed intervals.
 17. The structure of claim 9 inwhich said treatment means includes a plurality of pumps and conduitsfor delivering fluid to or extracting fluid from selected sample tubes,said driving means operating intermittently to drive and stop saidtransport means and said tubes at regularly timed intervals, saidtreatment stations comprising stopping stations for said tubes wherefluid is delivered to or extracted therefrom.
 18. The structure of claim17 in which said conduits are partially supported by a reciprocablecarriage equipped with a plurality of solenoid-actuated conduit grippingmembers, each of said conduits being extensible and retractable andbeing adapted to be extended into and retracted from sample tubes at atreatment station when the solenoid-actuated gripping member associatedtherewith is energized during a reciprocatory stroke of said carriage,and power means for reciprocating said carriage in timed relation withthe intermittent drive of said transporter, whereby, a conduit isextended into a sample tube at a treatment station only if the solenoidgripping member therefor is energized by a signal produced by engagementbetween a finger and the electrical contact of the programming devicecorresponding with such treatment station.
 19. The structure of claim 17in which said treatment units comprise a reciprocable pump carriagesupporting a plurality of electromagnets each connected to one of saidpumps, each of said pumps being operated by reciprocation of said pumpcarriage only if the particular electromagnet associated therewith isenergized, and power means for reciprocating said pump carriage in timedrelation with the intermittent drive of said transporter, whereby, apump is actuated to deliver fluid to or extract fluid from a sample tubeat a treatment station only if the electromagnet therefor is energizedby a signal produced by engagement between a finger and an electricalcontact of the programming device corresponding with such treatmentstation.